Practicing Open Communication in Relationships

The 3 Components of Healthy Relationships include open communication, mutual respect, and boundaries.

Communication isn't always easy, but it's the key to successful relationships. While some people have no problem communicating their needs in a clear and respectful way, others may struggle when it comes to expressing themselves in an open and honesty way.

 

Open communication involves:

• being honest, direct, and thoughtful

• paying attention and listening when the other person speaks

• listening to understand, rather than listening to respond

• validating the other person's thoughts and feelings, and having our own thoughts and feelings validated

• paying attention to body language

• allowing both people to talk

• thinking about what we're going to say before we say it

• setting clear boundaries

Poor communication looks like:

• interrupting

• holding grudges

• guessing or assuming the other person's feelings

• arguing often

• calling names

• making threats

• raising voice

The ability to consistently communicate well in a relationship can help people face challenges and hardships even during stressful moments.

More resources Materials to help someone. :

Love Is Respect is an organization that offers 24/7 support to teens and young adults with questions or concerns about dating and relationships.

• Call 1-866-33-1-9474

• Text 'LOVEIS' to 22522

National Domestic Violence Hotline A phone line set up for a specific purpose, especially for use in emergencies. offers 24/7 to survivors of abuse Violent treatment of a person. .

• Call 1-800-799-7233